Inside The Bills

Bills head coach Doug Marrone cut a respected player in the locker room in Tashard Choice. Marrone respected him to which is why he took the time to explain to Choice why he was releasing him.

“I talked to Tashard,” said Marrone. “Normally those are private conversations, but what I told him was he did not do anything that made us look to do it; it was more of a sense of us trying to better ourselves.

“I’ve always appreciated his enthusiasm here. I’ve always appreciated the way he’s gone to work here. But at the end of the day, it happens quite a bit in this business, and it is a business of making sure that you win and you get better.

“If we don’t continue to get better and we don’t continue to win games, you’ll be saying that coach Marrone was a good guy but he didn’t get it done, and I don’t mean that in a comical way, I mean it as very straightforward and truthful.”

It’s not the most important part of their game Thursday night. They want to play their best to get a win first and foremost. But there is a part of them that wants to prove they are not the same old Bills knowing a national audience is watching.

“We don’t get many times to play national televised games, so this is big for us,” said Stevie Johnson. “Hopefully we can go out there and show who we are and get a ‘W’ and let the world know we’re for real.”

“This is a big game for us,” said C.J. Spiller. “For everybody to see what type of team we have in these guys’ house and these guys are going to be jacked up. I have all the confidence in the world that we’ll be ready to go.”

Spiller is still a question mark for the game, but Buffalo won in Cleveland last season in Week 3 without an injured Fred Jackson and with Spiller suffering a shoulder injury in the first half.

In that game Tashard Choice ran for 91 yards on 20 carries (4.6 avg.) in a 24-14 Bills victory.

The battle for the third running back spot on Buffalo’s roster has been tight. Tashard Choice is widely seen with the edge going into tonight’s preseason finale, but Kendall Gaskins and Zach Brown are in close pursuit. Here’s a look at how the reps through the three preseason games have played out, knowing Brown and Gaskins figure to get a big dose of work tonight.

Gaskins, who has the fewest offensive snaps to this point, is hoping extra snaps will allow him to get into the flow of the game more effectively.

“(With more work) the coaches will be able to see a lot more rather than just a short period of time,” Gaskins told Buffalobills.com. “I have to be able to get into the rhythm of the game the whole time. So I’ll be able to show more than what I’ve shown before.”

Preseason game number two tonight against the Vikings and a big night for Kevin Kolb. Here are some of your latest questions for this last edition of Fan Friday before the end of training camp. Keep the questions coming on email at AskChris@bills.nfl.net and on Twitter @ChrisBrownBills.

1 – Chris,

I’m sure your sick of comments and questions about Jairus Byrd but my question I didn’t hear many talk about is this: did the Bills (or Byrd for that matter) consider that Byrd may have a tremendous year and increase his value even more next year leading to an even high price tag? If the Bills do what they are hoping he will do during his franchise year did they not cost themselves more money by not coming up a little higher to sign him this year? Or, if that was a consideration, does that not tell us there will be no attempt to sign Byrd long term after this season and this season is nothing more than a bridge to get one of the Williams’ ready?

Thanks,
Ron

CB: Bills GM Doug Whaley has gone on record saying they will still pursue a long term contract agreement with Jairus Byrd after the regular season concludes. At this point you have to take Whaley at his word as the team’s new GM. In my experience Whaley usually means what he says.

Now all that being said there is some merit to the argument of signing a player to an extension a year prior to their contract being up. If for example, the Bills are convinced that Alex Carrington is going to have a monster season in this the last year of his contract, they might opt to try to sign him before this season starts.

Is there a risk? Absolutely. He could have a down year or sustain a career-threatening injury. But there’s a risk in every decision an NFL GM makes. That’s why their salaries are where they are. When there’s a significant call to be made, they’re paid to make significantly more right decisions than wrong ones.2 – Hi Chris,

I am a former season ticket holder (tunnel endzone) from the glory days of the late 80s and early 90s now living in SC. Thanks for all you do to keep out of town Bills fans up to date. I’m intrigued by the Bills corps of receivers. I have heard about the speed of Graham and Goodwin. Do you think either has the route running ability to be the next Victor Cruz inside? I have heard about the route running ability of Woods. Does he have the potential to be a Wes Welker inside bracketed between Stevie, Graham, and Chandler? Da’ Rick is also interesting. Where do you see him in this mix?

As far as team analysis I see our biggest areas of need as the O Line (need a tackle and two guards), an outside linebacker that can rush and compliment Mario, and a second corner to pair with Gilmore as I feel McKelvin is too small and better suited to slot defender. Your thoughts?

Thanks,
John in SC

CB: Woods is a polished route runner, but he’s not a Wes Welker. Welker’s quickness in and out of cuts is rare. Woods is a sharp route runner, but he wins more on hesitation, change of speed and shoulder fakes than pure quickness. Stevie Johnson is the primary slot receiver. Woods would be the number two.

To say one would have similar production to Victor Cruz has more to do with the quarterback throwing him the ball than their own exploits.

Da’Rick Rogers is strictly an outside receiver. Big and physical with soft hands, he needs more discipline with his route running, but when he gets it he could explode.

McKelvin right now is the best option to line up opposite Stephon Gilmore when healthy. At 5’10” 185 his size is adequate and his arms are long, which helps in coverage. Ron Brooks, Justin Rogers and Nickell Robey are considerably smaller in stature and better suited inside. McKelvin is probably best as a boundary corner.

What is up with Mario? How come he doesn’t interview after practice? Did they ever say what it was with his foot?
Thanksjvsafy

CB: He does usually once a week during the regular season and occasionally during training camp. Last night he did not stop for an interview because he had to get treatment with the athletic trainers. Head coach Doug Marrone did not say it was his foot that needed treatment. During camp there is typically an assortment of bumps and bruises that players experience that needs attention, especially linemen who endure more physical contact than other players.

I’m not trying to be a Mario apologist here, but even if it was his foot that necessitated the treatment I’d at least take comfort in the fact that he’s trying to take care of what’s nagging at him.4 – Chris,

I appreciate the work you do on the Bills site, nice job.

A few points – when it comes to Byrd I think the Bills want to let this season play out and let some of their young safeties get some game reps (I.e. Searcy, A Williams, D Williams, Meeks) and see where they stand at the end of the year. While I think Byrd is a very good all-around player, the one thing I think he lacks, is that he is not a particularly big hitter, and I think that can change a defense when their safeties will hit.

The O line position that I think is more important than left guard is right tackle. Who do you think the right tackle will be, and how good of play do you think the Bills will get from that position?

We hear so much about the Bills up tempo offense but to me, that is not really an offense. Conceptually, in terms of routes, blocking schemes and personnel groupings, what do you think the Bills offense will look like?

Do you think the Bills need a legitimate big back? Certainly, CJ is a supreme talent, but to me, he is a space player, and to me 20 touches a game would be ideal. To me, Fred is a good all-around player, a good pass protector, a good screen game back, and a runner who makes his yards on a combination of vision, balance and using his blocks. But I think the Bills would benefit from a legitimate big running back. I think such a player could help on the goal line, third and short, and be a good complement to CJ and Fred. What do you think?

Chris

CB: Okay a lot to cover here. First, I disagree with your assessment that Jairus Byrd is not a hitter. He absolutely is a hitter. Evidence of that comes from the fact that since the 2009 season, no other safety in the league has more forced fumbles than him. He’s got 10. That being said the bigger hitters of the current contingent are Da’Norris Searcy and Duke Williams.

Right now I think the right tackle will be Erik Pears, who finally appears recovered from groin and hip problems the past two seasons. He’s moving as well as I’ve seen him and he’s as tough as they come. Chris Hairston, who is still on PUP, may very well miss all of training camp as he has not been moved onto the active roster yet.

Couple that with the fact that Sam Young and Thomas Welch have been unable to unseat him and it looks like Pears’ job to lose.

Concerning the Bills offense yes it will be up tempo, but it is a unique system that no one else is running. So I’ll give you the details that won’t give up the brilliance behind it. The easy identification is that it’s fast, but it’s also multiple personnel, slightly more run than pass (probably 52% to 48%) with stretch the field components. It has West Coast system roots with a physical edge to it.

It won’t be complicated, just fast and multiple in terms of looks.

If Fred Jackson is not the kind of goal line back you want because you don’t think he’s big enough Kendall Gaskins is the only back in camp (who isn’t a fullback) that is bigger. He’s 6’1” 238 and he can lay the lumber. He’s had a nice camp, but whether he can unseat Tashard Choice remains to be seen.

CB: If you haven’t heard or seen much you might be living under a rock. He’s been a routine component of our highlight reels on Bills Roundup every evening we cover the day that was in training camp. I’ll let defensive coordinator Mike Pettine give you the assessment of the kind of camp he’s had (high praise).

“He’s a guy that we have a saying where we talk about playing like Bill, tough, competitive, productive, relentless, all the traits that we’re looking for in our guys,” said Pettine. “You go right down the list and he’s every one of them. He’s a guy that loves football, wants to get better, wants to get coached hard, asks the tough questions and it just shows up in his play.

“He’s probably our most technically sound guy up front. We emphasize to our guys that we want to get knock back on the offensive line and he’s probably our most consistent guy doing that, but the position he’s in I don’t think he’s going to show up on the stat sheet as much from a scheme standpoint. But to me he’s going to be one of the more important pieces of our defense.”

Here during OTAs there are a few kick return candidates on the roster and special teams coordinator Danny Crossman is not short on talent.

Taking reps on kick return in OTAs this week were Marquise Goodwin, T.J. Graham, Brad Smith and Tashard Choice. Leodis McKelvin has been mentioned as an option as well, but he’s been limited to just individual position drill work in practices coming off his groin surgery earlier this offseason.

Nevertheless the speed quota is more than filled in the return game for Buffalo.

A Players: Worth paying big, starter-caliber money.B Players: Guys I would sign but only if the value made sense.C Players: Guys I’d sign for low-salary, short-term (one or two years) value, with low bonuses.

Appearing on his ‘A’ list for offense was Bills free agent G Andy Levitre, who was listed 8th overall on the offensive side. Here’s Polian’s assessment.

Andy LevitrePlayer Analysis: Levitre is a very solid, professional, strong, offensive guard. While he has the talent, his position might limit the money he’ll see.

Appearing on his ‘A’ list for defense was Bills free agent S Jairus Byrd, who ranked 12th on the defensive list.

JairusByrd
Player Analysis: Timed speed is a question mark, but instincts, toughness and production are not.

The only other Bills that appeared on Polian’s free agent list were Leodis McKelvin (B grade – but injury concerns) and Tashard Choice (C grade).

With Fred Jackson now lost for the season with a sprained MCL Buffalo is down to a pair of running backs in C.J. Spiller and Tashard Choice. When asked if the Bills might make a roster move to add a third back, head coach Chan Gailey said it’s one of their considerations.

The other consideration is to make use of FB Corey McIntyre.

“We might do that and we might just let Corey kind of be the third back. We might go that direction too,” said Gailey. “There’s a couple of ways to think about it and we’ll have to decide which is the best way to go.”

McIntyre does not have a carry on the season, but he does have one reception for nine yards.

Bad enough that Patriots LB Brandon Spikes had an illegal helmet to helmet hit on Ryan Fitzpatrick that drew a flag and a likely fine from the league. Spikes also showboated after his hit on Fred Jackson that have him a concussion. That didn’t sit well with Tashard Choice.

“I don’t like to see anybody get hurt and then on top of that (Spikes) making fun of him while he’s on the ground. That really got me stirred up,” said Tashard Choice of the Patriot linebacker’s actions, “He’ll get his though. When players go down from concussions they’re serious. He wasn’t moving. It’s cool to make a big hit, but it’s not cool when somebody is down like that. He’s a good player, but you don’t do that.”

Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller are the two primary backs and that’s very unlikely to change. However, Choice will be part of a third back competition that also includes former fifth-round pick Johnny White.

Chicago Bears WR Sam Hurd was arrested by federal agents Thursday on major drug trafficking charges. His former teammate with the Dallas Cowboys for three seasons, Tashard Choice was stunned by the news.

“I can’t believe it,” he said shaking his head. “I was close to him and I had no idea. I wouldn’t have suspected that in a million years. He was a great teammate. He worked hard. He was upbeat no matter what. It’s unbelievable.”

Choice took the time to read the entire affidavit of Hurd’s case online and saw that the feds were investigating Hurd since July.

Tashard Choice may have only practiced twice since being signed by the Bills on Wednesday, but his retention of Buffalo’s offensive system will give him a very good chance of getting on the field today against the Jets.

“He retained a lot,” said head coach Chan Gailey.

Gailey, who coached Choice for his last three seasons of college at Georgia Tech, has a lot of the same terminology for his offense with the Bills that he had at Georgia Tech.

“He’s a smart kid,” said Gailey. “He’s quick, strong and aggressive. He’s a very good pass protector, he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He plays bigger than you think. He’s not tall, but he’s 211 pounds and he’s very strong.”

Don’t be shocked if Choice serves as a third-down back in passing situations against the Jets.

Newly signed RB Tashard Choice practiced Thursday and was glad to see some familiar faces.

“It’s good to be here,” he said. “There are a lot of good coaches here…the ones I knew from Georgia Tech and also players that I know on this team. I know Sam Young, Scott Chandler, CJ (Spiller) and a couple of other guys because I played against them in college.”

Choice also is familiar with some of the offensive scheme.

“Oh, yeah, it does make it easier. You pick up things quickly…you remember everything you did before. So it’s not that difficult to know the plays and know what’s going on. So it was actually a really smooth day…really smooth.”

Knowing there’s a chance he could be in the Bills game day lineup soon Choice is anxious to get up to speed completely.

“My thoughts are just to get rolling. It’s been more difficult this season than I thought so I’m just really ready to get the opportunity and to get my chance and do the best I can.”

Not only does Tashard Choice have a connection with Buffalo already having played for head coach Chan Gailey in college. A former relative of his played running back for the Bills.

Choice’s cousin Joe Burns, was a reserve running back for Buffalo from 2002-2006 serving mostly on special teams. Burns also played his college ball at Georgia Tech. Burns appeared in 58 games for the Bills and had 64 carries for 193 yards. His only touchdown for Buffalo came on a 19-yard reception.